U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program

Entry Level Referee Course

Competitive Youth Training

Small Sided and Recreational Youth Training

Law 16 - The Goal Kick

2016-17

Overview

It is awarded to the defending team when the entire ball leaves the field over the goal line, either on the

ground or in the air without a goal being scored, when last touched by a player from the attacking team.

A goal kick is a method of restarting play.

Overview

A goal can be scored directly from a goal kick,

but only against the opposing team.

If the ball directly enters the kickers own goal, a

corner kick is awarded to the opposing team,

but only if the ball first left the penalty area.

Overview

A goal can be scored directly from a goal kick, but only against the opposing team.

An attacking player cannot be offside if the

ball is received directly from a goal kick.

Procedure

To restart play, the ball

is placed and kicked

from anywhere within

the Goal Area.

All opposing players

must be outside the

Penalty Area at the

taking of a goal kick.

Procedure

The ball is in play as

soon as it is kicked

and leaves the Penalty

Area (on the first

touch).

All opposing players

must remain outside

the Penalty Area until

the ball is in play.

Requirements

Also, if any player from either team (including

the kicker) makes contact with the ball before

it leaves the Penalty Area, the goal kick must

be retaken.

If the ball is not kicked

directly out of the Penalty

Area (and into the field-of-

play), then the goal kick

must be retaken.

Infringements

If, after the ball is in-play,

the kicker touches the

ball again before it has

touched another player

an indirect free kick (IFK)

is awarded to the

opposing team, to be

taken from the place

where the infringement

(2nd touch) occurred.

Infringements

The goal kick is retaken

for any other infringement,

such as an opponent

entering the Penalty Area

after the ball is kicked, but

before it leaves the

Penalty Area.

Infringements

If an opponent, who is still

within the Penalty Area

when the goal kick is

taken, then touches or

challenges for the ball

after it is in-play and

before it has touched

another player, the goal

kick is retaken.

Procedure

Because small-sided and recreational youth

games can have different field sizes and field

markings, officials should be aware of any

local rules of competition that may modify the

standard goal kick procedure.

Player Management

Time wasting tactics can

take place at the taking of a

goal kick, usually when the

winning team has the lead

late in the game.

Upon being awarded a goal kick, the kicking

team should not waste time by placing the ball

within the goal area in preparation for the

restart and then unnecessarily moving it to

another location.

Player Management

Referees should consider

issuing a warning and then

may show a yellow card for

delaying the restart of play,

if the team does it again.

Referees should be aware of this tactic and use

preventive techniques to keep the game

flowing and to avoid issuing cautions if

possible.

Review Question

91. A goal kick is awarded when the ball

wholly crosses a ______ when last

touched by a player from the attacking

team.

A. Touch line

B. Goal line

C. Side line

D. End line

Review Question

92. During a goal kick, are all opposing

players required to be outside the penalty

area until the ball is in play?

A. Yes

B. No

Review Question

93. When is the ball in play from a goal

kick?

A. When it is kicked and moves

B. When it leaves the Goal Area

C. When it leaves the Penalty Area

D. Not until it has been touched by a

player other than the kicker

Review Question

94. How should the referee manage

time wasting during a goal kick?

A. Give a verbal warning and then

issue a yellow card if the behavior

continues

B. Show the player a straight red card

C. Ignore and add time wasted